The Lost Sea & Smokey Mountain Train Ride 25

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Join Gunther Tours for an exciting summer get-away to the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Experience exhilarating and entertaining attractions that will include exploring caverns, an underground boat ride to America's largest underground lake, a 2-night stay in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, and a delightful railway adventure train ride! Before checking into our hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee for the night, enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2

After breakfast we depart for Sweetwater, Tennessee and The Lost Sea Adventure, America's Largest Underground Lake! Upon our arrival, your Lost Sea adventure begins with a guided tour of the caverns. This involves a ¾-mile round trip walk on wide sloping pathways. While touring the caverns and underground lake, your guides will detail the cavern's exciting, colorful history, and will explain the fascinating geological development that created the immense cavern rooms and rare formations. At the bottom of the cave, you will board a glass-bottom boat for an exciting trip on the Lost Sea. The boat ride offers you the chance to view the large collection of rare anthodites, (cave formations composed of long needle-like crystals situated in clusters that radiate outward from a common base. The "needles" may be quill-like or feathery), more commonly known as "Cave Flowers". Note: Please make sure you are an able walker before booking onto this tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes, (no heels). This tour is not suitable for people who have trouble with mobility! Next, we depart for the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Upon our arrival, we visit The Island at Pigeon Forge, where you can enjoy shopping, lunch, and the various entertainment attractions, including the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. Take in unparalleled views of the world famous Great Smoky Mountains in comfortable all-glass gondolas on this 200-foot-high observation wheel. Lunch is on your own. Later, we check into our hotel accommodations for the next two nights at the nearby Fairfield Inn & Suites. After check-in, you will have time to sit, relax and freshen up before going out for a tasty dinner at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Located in a historic farmhouse on a working apple orchard, the restaurant serves up delicious, hearty authentic farm-style southern cuisine, with a country flare. Next, we enjoy this evening's entertainment at the Country Tonite Theatre. Tonight's live country music show is a perfect blend of country classics from some of country music's most legendary artists, and the contemporary country hits of today!

Day 3

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park. Following our park tour we depart for the historic mountain town of Bryson City, North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. We will embark on a round trip train ride along the Tuckasegee River and through the quiet countryside on our way to Dillsboro, North Carolina. Highlights of your excursion include passing by the famed movie set location used in the filming of "The Fugitive," starring Harrison Ford and a layover in Dillsboro. Enjoy leisurely browsing the many unique shops in this small town in Western North Carolina before we re-board the train for our return to Bryson City. A box lunch will be included during your excursion. Following our train ride, we board our motor coach and depart for a delicious buffet dinner at a local restaurant that serves up great local flavors. Later we return to our hotel in Pigeon Forge for a good night's sleep.

Day 4

After breakfast we depart for home taking with us fond memories of caverns, America's largest underground lake, the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, and a delightful railway adventure on our family vacation get-away! Today's buffet lunch is included at Michie Tavern, an authentic 1784 pub in Charlottesville, Virginia. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a rustic tavern setting served to you by servers dressed in period attire.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner